Saturday, March 2, 2013

Light at the End of the (Columbus) Tunnel

Things have been pretty much the same since the last update. The graft vs host disease (GVHD) has very slowly cleared, and Prednisone is being tapered down from 100 mg/day to the current 30 and will be at 10 in 10 days. Gloria should feel better after adjusting a bit.

The biggest problem with the steroid (opposite most people's experience) has been weight loss with protein deficiency. Sid is on top of that with his thoughtful grocery shopping (which always includes at least one surprise treat just for taste).


We are getting close to the 100 day milestone, and the plan is to have the bone marrow biopsy on March 14.  Following that oh-so lovely procedure, we hope to leave The Apartment and Columbus behind and go home!  Meanwhile, if you have any extra energy, love and prayers to send after all this time, March 14 would be the day to send some hope for continued remission.


Big news from Team Goldman: Rebecca has arrived in Monterey, California to start a new chapter in her professional life.  
We know she'll be a huge success.

As always, we treasure the support and love from our family and friends. That's what keeps us going.  Thank you for being part of our lives.

19 comments:

  1. Gloria and Team: Thanks again for the post. On March 14, I will be traveling to and from Columbus for my next post-op appointment, so I will be close enough to send all of my best wishes for continued remission. If you need me to help bring anything back from Columbus, just let me know.
    All my love and healthy, healing thoughts.
    Lori

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  2. Dear Gloria and Team Members: Rebecca keeps me informed but I still read each new post. We will both be sending love and well wishes now until and after March 14. I am so happy that you will be returning home in the next few weeks. We are in awe of all of you and wish a speedy return to Dayton and a routine that is healing and renewing.
    xoxoxo,
    Scotti and Richard

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  3. So pleased to get this update and hear everything is moving in the right direction. I continue to be in awe of Gloria's courage and stamina; not to mention the loving and critical support of Sid, Rebecca, and Karen. I know you do what you do because you love her; and those of us who love her as a friend are so very grateful for your care and support. Congratulations to Rebecca on the new job and the great location!

    I think of all of you every day, often whisper prayers at the oddest times, and always hope and pray for restored health and energy. On March 14th I will be thinking about you and hoping the discomfort is manageable and worth the effort when you get the results.

    Love to you all,

    Tom

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  4. Gloria and Team,

    What a remarkable milestone 100 days will be - a testimony to the strength, courage and spirit of all of you. Cheers to each of you, and special thoughts and good wishes to Friend Gloria for a wonderful outcome from the March 14 test. I think of you each day and am sending my love and best wishes your way for a return home soon to enjoy the spring season.

    Congratulations to Rebecca, and my continued thanks to Karen and Sid for their amazing care and support. So many of us are deeply grateful to you for all you have done and are doing.

    Love to all,

    Helen

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  5. Gloria,

    Wow! Almost 100 days---what a milestone and what a journey! You and your team are truly warriors! My love, my thoughts, and my prayers are with you and the Team every day. I will hold you all in a special healing light/energy field on 3-14 and wait for news!
    Ellen joins me in sending love and hopes for a complete recovery very soon!

    Judy

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  6. Great news! Thanks for keeping us updated. Gloria, you are always in our thoughts and we will be sending good vibes for March 14th. Can't wait to see you in May! John

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  7. Fantastic. So glad to hear how close you are to coming home! I will be thinking of you often during these next few weeks. Thanks for the update.
    Keri

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  8. Gloria & her Team,

    Glad to hear of the progress you've made and the trip home is scheduled for the not too distant future. Prayers will continue be sent from Portland along with "cosmic vibrations" to cover all bases.

    Jim, Janet, the boys and Mars

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  9. Oh, to imagine that ride back to Kettering...back to your own clean sheets and the smells of hearth and home. The northeast contingent will be sending you good, good, good...good vibrations!
    Love to you and Sid and the rest of Team Gloria.

    Jerry et al.

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  10. Dear Gloria et al,

    Love from us over here on the left coast. We are thinking of you and sending good energy every day!

    Luca's big jokes these days are mainly words he finds funny, regardless of their meaning: big iron rod (a piece of rebar we found in our yard), hospice (don't ask) and poop (no explanation necessary), what the hell (oops), sidekicks (from a book about Luca made by his grandma Mikele).

    He also regularly stands on his tip-toes like a meercat and sang the first two lines of "Puff the Magic Dragon" for six hours yesterday, some of the time accompanying himself on the mandolin. Its big times in Glendale :).

    Can't wait for you guys to be back home for good!

    Love Jessica

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  11. Just know that my thoughts and prayers and positive energy will be on warp-drive March 14th!!!! The prospect of having you home is the best news ever! All my love to you, Gloria, ....and to your team!
    Teresa

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  12. I love you Ms Goldman.... that is all. :)

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  13. Hi Gloria, Karen, Sydney,

    Sending lots of love and encouragement to you! Jim and Jean Graham

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  14. Much Love to you Gloria- Expecting great news with the BMB. Miss your laugh and cannot wait to have you back in the throws of the city!
    Sharon

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  15. I'm hoping that the countdown to tomorrow has continued to bring other good outcomes: more weight gain with the reduction of the Prednisone dosage, excitement about coming back home, and happiness that the work of Team Gloria is paying off. You are all amazing.
    All my love,
    Lori

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  16. Sweetheart,
    Saying LOTS of "Catholic prayers" for you today. Our arms around you.
    Love you, hug you,
    BB & Les

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  17. I've been thinking about you every day, and am hopeful that the test yesterday provides good news. Your feisty spirit comes through in the blog author's tone, and I especially enjoyed invoking your former mother-in-law's words of wisdom. All is well in our world--same old politics in the academy, waiting for spring and news that you are receiving guests. Take care, Kate

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  18. Thinking of you today...as always!
    Much love,
    Teresa

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  19. I've been thinking of you and checking the blog multiple times each day, looking for that good news that all of us are just waiting to read. All my love.
    Lori

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